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The Importance of Having Healthy Gums

People often think good dental health means having healthy teeth, but it is vitally important to take good care of your gums, something we do stress to all of our patients in Leeds. Your gums and the ligaments surrounding your teeth have an important job to do as they help to hold your teeth firmly in place, and without their support your teeth would become loose and will eventually fall out. Healthy gums that are in good shape should be pale pink in colour, and should fit snugly around the necks of the teeth. There should be no gaps or signs that the gums have begun to pull away from the teeth. These are all things we assess during your regular check-ups at Leeds City Dentalcare.

It is pretty easy to look after your gums, and provided you clean your teeth properly and floss once-a-day you are unlikely to have any significant problems. However it is all too easy to become complacent over your daily oral hygiene routine and that is where we can help. Next time you visit our Leeds surgery why not ask Dr David Brown, or any of our dental staff for their advice on how you can improve your daily regime. Your hygienist is a wealth of information as they can identify areas of the mouth that you may regularly be missing, and can show you various techniques on how to brush and floss more thoroughly. It can also help to take a methodical approach to cleaning your teeth as this will ensure you don’t miss any sections of your mouth.

Flossing is Essential for Healthy Gums

We know many people find flossing a real chore, but it is important to do something to remove food and plaque bacteria from in between the teeth. With the correct technique this essential task should only take a few minutes to complete and really does help keep your gums healthy. If you can’t stand the thought of flossing in the conventional way then try out alternative methods. You can buy interdental brushes from your local chemist, and these look a little like tiny Christmas tree shaped brushes that come in a variety of different sizes. These can be used to clean in between the teeth and help to stimulate the gum tissue. Another option is to purchase a water or air flosser. These literally squirt away the debris from in between your teeth using water, or both water and air. The concept may sound strange but they are pretty effective and can be very good for anyone who finds it difficult to manipulate dental floss.

Come to Visit us regularly at Leeds City Dentalcare

Regular visits to our Leeds surgery are an essential part of maintaining your healthy gums. We will check to make sure you do not have any signs of gum disease, and can take action to ensure treatment is quick and effective. You can also help yourself by keeping an eye out for any early symptoms of gum disease.

Important things to look out for include any changes in the colour of your gums, for instance noticing that they look redder than normal, and any signs of bleeding when you brush or floss. If you notice these symptoms then do make an appointment to visit a dentist at Leeds surgery as early treatment is essential. Having your teeth professionally cleaned will help considerably, as will paying extra attention to your brushing and flossing regime. You should notice your gums begin to look healthier in just a few weeks so they can continue their important task of supporting your teeth.

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